Turbo
Well-Known Member
I think so too.
NHL Thread Because There Isn't An NHL Thread
- Thread starter Absolut Kaz
- Start date
I think so too.
Hollywood
Well-Known Member
Also keep in mind that Dvorak is only 25 yrs old
Hollywood
Well-Known Member
Despite the Carolina Hurricanes' numerous references suggesting otherwise, general manager Don Waddell insists the Jesperi Kotkaniemi offer sheet wasn't about getting back at the Montreal Canadiens for doing the same to Sebastian Aho two years ago.
"It certainly was not revenge," Waddell said Sunday. "We talked about this player, we know this player."
"(We used) the CBA as other teams have in the past to try to acquire a 21-year-old player," he added. "So to us, it was all about the player. We looked around the league and thought this made the most sense from where we are as a team.
"We have a couple of other good Finnish players on our team and thought this would be a great fit."
On Saturday, Montreal chose not to match an offer sheet for $6,100,015 that Carolina tendered to Kotkaniemi one week earlier, making the forward a member of the Hurricanes.
Last Saturday, in the immediate aftermath of the move, Carolina's press release included a quote from Waddell that was nearly identical to what Montreal GM Marc Bergevin said after issuing an offer sheet to Aho in 2019. The Hurricanes also included a $20 signing bonus in Kotkaniemi's deal (Aho wears No. 20), and Carolina's social media team repeatedly poked fun at Montreal with callbacks to the earlier ordeal.
The club even posted a screenshot of the signing bonus on Twitter with a caption reading, "People don't forget."
"So, the (press) release, that's a marketing thing," Waddell said. "We're trying to continue to build our franchise here in Raleigh (and) trying to keep our fans engaged. Our social team gets huge marks from the NHL and they had some fun with it."
The Canadiens signed Aho to a five-year offer sheet with a $8.454-million cap hit on July 1, 2019. The Hurricanes matched it several days later.
Kotkaniemi's deal is the first unmatched offer sheet since Dustin Penner left the Anaheim Ducks for the Edmonton Oilers in 2007.
"It certainly was not revenge," Waddell said Sunday. "We talked about this player, we know this player."
"(We used) the CBA as other teams have in the past to try to acquire a 21-year-old player," he added. "So to us, it was all about the player. We looked around the league and thought this made the most sense from where we are as a team.
"We have a couple of other good Finnish players on our team and thought this would be a great fit."
On Saturday, Montreal chose not to match an offer sheet for $6,100,015 that Carolina tendered to Kotkaniemi one week earlier, making the forward a member of the Hurricanes.
Last Saturday, in the immediate aftermath of the move, Carolina's press release included a quote from Waddell that was nearly identical to what Montreal GM Marc Bergevin said after issuing an offer sheet to Aho in 2019. The Hurricanes also included a $20 signing bonus in Kotkaniemi's deal (Aho wears No. 20), and Carolina's social media team repeatedly poked fun at Montreal with callbacks to the earlier ordeal.
The club even posted a screenshot of the signing bonus on Twitter with a caption reading, "People don't forget."
"So, the (press) release, that's a marketing thing," Waddell said. "We're trying to continue to build our franchise here in Raleigh (and) trying to keep our fans engaged. Our social team gets huge marks from the NHL and they had some fun with it."
The Canadiens signed Aho to a five-year offer sheet with a $8.454-million cap hit on July 1, 2019. The Hurricanes matched it several days later.
Kotkaniemi's deal is the first unmatched offer sheet since Dustin Penner left the Anaheim Ducks for the Edmonton Oilers in 2007.
Turbo
Well-Known Member
Wow, now they're trying to walk back their bullshit after the other side handled it professionally? What is done is done.
Hollywood
Well-Known Member
Those wondering how the Carolina Hurricanes planned to fit newcomer Jesperi Kotkaniemi under the salary cap now have an answer.
The Hurricanes will place defenseman Jake Gardiner on long-term injured reserve when he undergoes multiple procedures, thereby clearing space for Kotkaniemi's $6,100,015 cap hit before the season begins.
"We won't be in a (tight) cap situation," Carolina general manager Don Waddell said Sunday. "Gardiner, who's going to have back and hip surgery here, is not going to be ready to go this year. So we had cap space available knowing that he'll go on (LTIR)."
Gardiner was limited to 26 games and averaged a career-low 16:03 of ice time last season due to his injuries. He's played for the Hurricanes for the last two campaigns after spending his first eight with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The 31-year-old is under contract through 2022-23 at a $4.05-million cap hit, according to CapFriendly.
Carolina officially acquired Kotkaniemi on Saturday when the Montreal Canadiens elected not to match the Hurricanes' offer sheet. That move temporarily put them over the cap, a position they're allowed to be in until opening night.
The Hurricanes will place defenseman Jake Gardiner on long-term injured reserve when he undergoes multiple procedures, thereby clearing space for Kotkaniemi's $6,100,015 cap hit before the season begins.
"We won't be in a (tight) cap situation," Carolina general manager Don Waddell said Sunday. "Gardiner, who's going to have back and hip surgery here, is not going to be ready to go this year. So we had cap space available knowing that he'll go on (LTIR)."
Gardiner was limited to 26 games and averaged a career-low 16:03 of ice time last season due to his injuries. He's played for the Hurricanes for the last two campaigns after spending his first eight with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The 31-year-old is under contract through 2022-23 at a $4.05-million cap hit, according to CapFriendly.
Carolina officially acquired Kotkaniemi on Saturday when the Montreal Canadiens elected not to match the Hurricanes' offer sheet. That move temporarily put them over the cap, a position they're allowed to be in until opening night.
Hollywood
Well-Known Member
The Montreal Canadiens might've thought harder about matching the Jesperi Kotkaniemi offer sheet if Christian Dvorak wasn't available to them on the trade block, general manager Marc Bergevin said Monday.
Bergevin added that the lucrative one-year deal Kotkanemi signed with the Carolina Hurricanes also played a role.
"Would we have loved to have kept (Kotkaniemi)? Of course," Bergevin said, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels. "But not at $6.1 million and not with Christian Dvorak available to us."
Bergevin added that matching the offer sheet would've affected the team's future cap management with "players we wanted to keep" moving forward, TSN's John Lu reports. Kotkanemi's qualifying offer for next season will be $6.1 million.
The Canadiens received a first-round pick and third-rounder from the Canes for not matching the one-year, $6.1-million offer sheet for Kotkaniemi. Montreal then flipped a first- and second-rounder to the Arizona Coyotes for Dvorak.
Dvorak, 25, has four years remaining on his contract carrying a $4.45-million cap hit. He recorded 17 goals and 14 assists in 56 contests last season while averaging 18:24 of ice time per game.
Bergevin is excited to see how Dvorak's reliable, two-way game translates to the Canadiens.
"He won't wow you but he's detailed, plays an honest game," Bergevin said. "He'll have 'different wingers' (that is, more skilled) than he did in Arizona."
Bergevin also said the club was proposing a two-year bridge deal to Kotkaniemi at a price lower than the offer sheet.
Kotkaniemi, 21, tallied just five goals and 15 assists in 56 games this past season. He's failed to meet expectations since being taken third overall in the 2018 draft.
Bergevin added that, in hindsight, it would've been beneficial to let Kotkaniemi play another year in Finland instead of bringing him to the NHL as an 18-year-old in 2018-19.
Bergevin added that the lucrative one-year deal Kotkanemi signed with the Carolina Hurricanes also played a role.
"Would we have loved to have kept (Kotkaniemi)? Of course," Bergevin said, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels. "But not at $6.1 million and not with Christian Dvorak available to us."
Bergevin added that matching the offer sheet would've affected the team's future cap management with "players we wanted to keep" moving forward, TSN's John Lu reports. Kotkanemi's qualifying offer for next season will be $6.1 million.
The Canadiens received a first-round pick and third-rounder from the Canes for not matching the one-year, $6.1-million offer sheet for Kotkaniemi. Montreal then flipped a first- and second-rounder to the Arizona Coyotes for Dvorak.
Dvorak, 25, has four years remaining on his contract carrying a $4.45-million cap hit. He recorded 17 goals and 14 assists in 56 contests last season while averaging 18:24 of ice time per game.
Bergevin is excited to see how Dvorak's reliable, two-way game translates to the Canadiens.
"He won't wow you but he's detailed, plays an honest game," Bergevin said. "He'll have 'different wingers' (that is, more skilled) than he did in Arizona."
Bergevin also said the club was proposing a two-year bridge deal to Kotkaniemi at a price lower than the offer sheet.
Kotkaniemi, 21, tallied just five goals and 15 assists in 56 games this past season. He's failed to meet expectations since being taken third overall in the 2018 draft.
Bergevin added that, in hindsight, it would've been beneficial to let Kotkaniemi play another year in Finland instead of bringing him to the NHL as an 18-year-old in 2018-19.
Hollywood
Well-Known Member
It seems the Ottawa Senators and restricted free-agent forward Brady Tkachuk are progressing in the right direction regarding a new contract.
The Senators hope to agree on a long-term deal with Tkachuk before training camp begins on Sept. 22, according to the Ottawa Suns' Bruce Garrioch.
Tkachuk's camp and Ottawa reportedly discussed a new contract as late as last Friday and will likely continue negotiating this week. There hasn't been any animosity between the two sides throughout the talks, adds Garrioch.
General manager Pierre Dorion said Friday the sides have held "productive discussions," per The Athletics' Ian Mendes.
The Senators drafted Tkachuk fourth overall in 2018. The 21-year-old winger posted 36 points across 56 contests last season, which translates to 53 points over an 82-game campaign.
Ottawa is looking to name a captain for the 2021-22 season. Tkachuk and Thomas Chabot are among the leading candidates for the honor.
Tkachuk isn't the only restricted free agent left on the Senators' roster, as the club will also have to decide on Logan Brown. The 23-year-old reportedly hasn't signed his qualifying offer, and both sides agree the forward could use a change of scenery.
Jonathan Y
Well-Known Member
5 more weeks!!!! LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Hollywood
Well-Known Member
I'm ready
Hollywood
Well-Known Member
Bon voyage 
Former Vancouver Canucks winger Jake Virtanen has signed a one-year deal with the KHL's Spartak Moscow.
Virtanen spent six seasons in Vancouver after the Canucks selected him sixth overall in 2014. He enjoyed a career year in 2019-20, tallying 18 goals and 18 assists over 69 games. However, he recorded just five points across 38 contests last season.
The 25-year-old was sued for sexual assault in May. The Canucks placed him on leave for the rest of the season before buying out the remainder of his contract in July.
Former Vancouver Canucks winger Jake Virtanen has signed a one-year deal with the KHL's Spartak Moscow.
Virtanen spent six seasons in Vancouver after the Canucks selected him sixth overall in 2014. He enjoyed a career year in 2019-20, tallying 18 goals and 18 assists over 69 games. However, he recorded just five points across 38 contests last season.
The 25-year-old was sued for sexual assault in May. The Canucks placed him on leave for the rest of the season before buying out the remainder of his contract in July.
Hollywood
Well-Known Member
The Ottawa Senators have signed general manager Pierre Dorion to an extension through the 2024-25 campaign. The new deal also includes a team option for the 2025-26 season.
"We're very pleased to sign Pierre to a second extension as Senators general manager," Sens owner Eugene Melnyk said. "Dating to when he was named GM in 2016, Pierre has worked tirelessly toward building an organization that can compete with the National Hockey League's best.
"He's dedicated, detailed, and (he) maintains a sound hockey mind. Under Pierre's leadership, we have the utmost confidence that this team will soon be recognized as one that is consistently meriting success."
The Senators made it to the conference finals in Dorion's first season as GM in 2016-17. After a disappointing 2017-18 campaign, he's used his scouting background to help build one of the league's strongest prospect pipelines.
Dorion, an Ottawa native, ranks third in team history with 149 wins as GM, trailing only John Muckler (240) and Bryan Murray (339).
"We're very pleased to sign Pierre to a second extension as Senators general manager," Sens owner Eugene Melnyk said. "Dating to when he was named GM in 2016, Pierre has worked tirelessly toward building an organization that can compete with the National Hockey League's best.
"He's dedicated, detailed, and (he) maintains a sound hockey mind. Under Pierre's leadership, we have the utmost confidence that this team will soon be recognized as one that is consistently meriting success."
The Senators made it to the conference finals in Dorion's first season as GM in 2016-17. After a disappointing 2017-18 campaign, he's used his scouting background to help build one of the league's strongest prospect pipelines.
Dorion, an Ottawa native, ranks third in team history with 149 wins as GM, trailing only John Muckler (240) and Bryan Murray (339).
Hollywood
Well-Known Member
Armed with a brand-new extension, Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion made some waves during his celebratory press conference with a bold proclamation.
"The rebuild is done. Now we're stepping into another zone," Dorion said, according to the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch.
The Senators caught fire toward the end of a 2020-21 campaign that saw them employ a revolving door of injured goaltenders. They secured 30 points in their last 25 games and went 16-13-4 after an abysmal January and February. The Sens were rewarded for their efforts with a sixth-place finish in the realigned North Division - decidedly not last.
"We've had a plan since we started this rebuild. I feel that we're in the next stage now, it's time to start to win," he said, according to TSN 1200 Ottawa.
"The next step for us is not to take anything for granted," Dorion added. "Last year, we felt we were a team that was hard to play against, but now it's time to challenge to get two points every night, be in every game. Games that maybe you got a point last year, you need two this year."
The NHL is returning to its usual divisions, which will have the Senators squaring off with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, and Florida Panthers on top of their usual Canadian rivals in the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens. While the level of competition will increase this season, so too will the expectations for Dorion and the Senators.
"A lot of people say that, 'When you look on paper,' but that game's not played on paper. Any team can beat any other team any night in the NHL for most nights, so for us, (the goal is) to surprise people. Compete every night like we did last year."
The Senators' young guns now have another year of NHL experience under their belts, and with a new captain expected to take center stage this season, Ottawa will need them to step up.
"A lot of our younger players have reached a maturity stage in their career where they should be leading us and not be considered young players anymore. As a group, It's time to start winning."
The Sens appear to be one step closer to locking up the leader of their youth movement, as the club's talks with restricted free agent Brady Tkachuk are reportedly trending in the right direction.
"The rebuild is done. Now we're stepping into another zone," Dorion said, according to the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch.
The Senators caught fire toward the end of a 2020-21 campaign that saw them employ a revolving door of injured goaltenders. They secured 30 points in their last 25 games and went 16-13-4 after an abysmal January and February. The Sens were rewarded for their efforts with a sixth-place finish in the realigned North Division - decidedly not last.
"We've had a plan since we started this rebuild. I feel that we're in the next stage now, it's time to start to win," he said, according to TSN 1200 Ottawa.
"The next step for us is not to take anything for granted," Dorion added. "Last year, we felt we were a team that was hard to play against, but now it's time to challenge to get two points every night, be in every game. Games that maybe you got a point last year, you need two this year."
The NHL is returning to its usual divisions, which will have the Senators squaring off with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, and Florida Panthers on top of their usual Canadian rivals in the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens. While the level of competition will increase this season, so too will the expectations for Dorion and the Senators.
"A lot of people say that, 'When you look on paper,' but that game's not played on paper. Any team can beat any other team any night in the NHL for most nights, so for us, (the goal is) to surprise people. Compete every night like we did last year."
The Senators' young guns now have another year of NHL experience under their belts, and with a new captain expected to take center stage this season, Ottawa will need them to step up.
"A lot of our younger players have reached a maturity stage in their career where they should be leading us and not be considered young players anymore. As a group, It's time to start winning."
The Sens appear to be one step closer to locking up the leader of their youth movement, as the club's talks with restricted free agent Brady Tkachuk are reportedly trending in the right direction.
Hollywood
Well-Known Member
FFS
Hollywood
Well-Known Member
Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby will be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks after undergoing a wrist procedure on Wednesday, the team announced.
Crosby will miss the start of training camp.
"This is not a new injury for Sid. It is something that he has played through for years," general manager Ron Hextall said. "After exhausting all minimally-invasive options and much discussion, it was decided that surgery was in his best interest."
More to come.
Crosby will miss the start of training camp.
"This is not a new injury for Sid. It is something that he has played through for years," general manager Ron Hextall said. "After exhausting all minimally-invasive options and much discussion, it was decided that surgery was in his best interest."
More to come.